Lot 362: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Sport Coupe

The 1969 Camaro was the final year for the first generation, introduced in 1967. Although a redesigned Camaro was due in 1970 the changes in the ’69 were extensive. It was just as well, since introduction of the 1970 was delayed until late February 1970, giving the ’69 a showroom life of seventeen months. Not surprisingly it was a record sales year, with 243+ thousand Camaros leaving GM’s plants in Lordstown, Ohio and Van Nuys, California.

Like its counterpart in GM’s sporting stable, Corvette, 1967 was a particularly rich year for Camaro options. Choices started with something like twelve different Regular Production Option engines during the year. There were seven transmissions, and a whole host of dealer installed and COPO packages available to jazz up the Camaro’s performance. They were more than matched by comfort and convenience options and power assists.

Camaro’s reputation also was enhanced by its performance in that showdown of pony cars, the Trans Am. Faced with factory-backed competition from both Ford and American Motors and with support teams from Mercury and Pontiac, the Camaro Z/28s driven by Mark Donohue and Ronnie Bucknum for Roger Penske were victorious in the 1969 Trans Am, for the second year in a row. The rules required that Chevrolet build a series of cars for sale to the public comparable with the Trans Am race cars and these few special 1969 Camaros have achieved legendary status among collectors.

The Z28 option cost $458.15 and included the 302 cubic inch high performance small block V-8 engine that met the Trans Am’s 5 liter displacement limit rated at 290 horsepower (but routinely delivered pulling 350+ horsepower at retail), dual exhausts, special emblems, special suspension, bumper guards, heavy duty radiator, temperature controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x7 wheels, E70x15 white letter tires, and body stripes. Required to go with Z28 were a 4-speed manual transmission and disc brakes, either power front disc/rear drum combination or JL8 power 4-wheel discs, bringing the package to a minimum of $695.70, a full 25% of the $2,727 base price of a V-8 Camaro. And that was before adding the first comfort and convenience option or important performance options like Positraction.

Those who took the time to study their Chevy dealer’s performance parts catalog realized there was another desirable option waiting to be installed under the Z/28’s hood by their local Chevrolet dealer, a dual four-barrel cross ram induction system with special fiberglass cowl induction hood for the ultimate in carbureted small block performance. It added another 50 horsepower to the Z/28’s already prodigious output, bringing to or above 400 brake horsepower as delivered and capable of making much more when tuned.

The tight, stiff chassis of the Camaro combined with the predictable handling of its suspension and the punch of the high revving 302 cubic inch small block made it an absolute blast to drive. It may have ceded drag strip honors to 396 and COPO 427 big block Camaros but on the streets and roads the Z/28 was emperor.

The ultimate 1969 Camaro Z/28 combined JL8 4-wheel disc brakes with the dealer-installed dual four-barrel cross-ram intake, the package that Mark Donohue and Ronnie Bucknum drove to the 1969 Trans Am championship for Roger Penske. Combining breathtaking power with eyeball extending braking, it challenged Corvette’s legendary L88 for king of the hill status and left Mopars, Fords and Ramblers (i.e., AMC Javelins) struggling to find similar unfair advantages.

This is one of those Camaros.

Finished in Daytona Yellow and matte Black with Black vinyl interior, this 1969 Camaro is an original Z/28. Its carburetors, cross ram intake manifold and cowl induction hood are correct for the period and it still has the correct AIR pump that was required to meet emission requirements in 1969. It has been totally restored to original condition with Rally wheels, blackwall tires, pushbutton AM radio, center console with engine instruments and the appropriate quality control and production management stamps under the hood. The engine is the correct DZ-coded 302 and not surprisingly it has no power assists that would detract power from the performance of the engine.

What it does have, however, are the very rare and special JL8 4-wheel disc brakes, a setup that transforms the Camaro Z/28 from merely excellent to truly outstanding in road racing performance.

Carefully and sympathetically restored to original condition it is beautiful, distinctive, powerful and capable of rendering phalanxes of 21st Century sporty cars goggle-eyed with its acceleration, braking, cornering and quick responses.

Chevrolet will introduce a new Camaro in 2009. I will have to be very, very good to measure up to the standard set by 1969 cross-ram JL8 4-wheel disc brake Camaro Z/28s like this.